12 Rounds: Breaking down Mayweather-Berto

— -- It wasn't the fight we would have predicted for unbeaten Floyd Mayweather's 49th and supposed final dance, but his welterweight title bout on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, Showtime PPV) against interim beltholder Andre Berto will have to make do. In the final fight of his landmark six-fight deal with Showtime/CBS, Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) has an opportunity to equal the hallowed mark of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. Berto (30-3, 23 KOs) enters as a massive underdog despite being a former two-time titlist. Here's a look at how they match up in 12 different categories.

ROUND 1: Power

With 23 of his 30 victories ending inside the distance -- including four of his last five -- Berto holds the clear edge in power. His left hand -- whether pawing as a jab or leading as a hook -- has devolved into more of a placeholder to set up his overhand right. But it's with the right Berto has done the majority of his damage. He rallied to twice drop and stop Josesito Lopez with a pair of right hands during his last outing in March.

Advantage: Berto

ROUND 2: Experience

This one's not even close. While Berto has history as a multi-time welterweight titlist, he was criticized during his initial run for being matched too softly and has lost when stepping up in class. Mayweather, meanwhile, has headlined pay-per-views in 14 of his last 15 fights and faced a number of future Hall of Fame fighters along the way. Despite justified criticism of his own matchmaking at times, the five-division champion has built an impressive resume and would hold an experience edge against almost every active fighter.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 3: Speed

Despite being on the other side of his prime at age 31 after battling injuries in recent years, Berto has retained a respectable amount of speed and athleticism, especially compared to the majority of recent Mayweather opponents. The problem is that speed and quick-trigger reaction time remain the core of Floyd's remarkable physical preservation at 38. He's still at an elite level in hand and foot speed, and his unrivaled instincts and ring IQ have helped maintain the appearance that he simply doesn't age.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 4: Durability

Aided by multiple breaks from the ring and an uncanny ability to avoid taking punishment, Mayweather's longevity at the top of the sport is unique. He has mostly avoided injury, has rarely been cut and has treated his body like a temple in and out of training camp. He has also shown impressive recuperative skills the rare times he has been hurt. Berto has the heart of a lion and can take a punch, but Floyd holds a clear edge in this one.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 5: Tenacity

Berto's name simply doesn't get talked about enough when the subject of boxing's toughest warriors gets thrown around, but he's plenty deserving of recognition. Through thick and thin, injury or defeat, Berto just keeps coming and has showcased an admirable amount of resolve, pain tolerance and determination. He has fought through the kind of setbacks -- a pair of badly swollen eyes against Robert Guerrero and a torn tendon in his right shoulder against Jesus Soto Karass -- that would shelf most fighters.

Advantage: Berto

ROUND 6: Stamina

It's a refrain members of Mayweather's team probably can hear in their sleep: "Hard work, dedication." But it's a major part of what has separated Mayweather from his opponents, even his elite ones. Simply put: No one works harder outside the ring than Floyd. What it has provided him is a built-in advantage late in fights. As his opponents begin to fade, Mayweather comes on stronger, often saving his most potent offensive attacks for the final rounds.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 7: Versatility

Although never noted as a big puncher because of hand injuries early in his career, Mayweather can still punch hard enough to demand respect. And it has allowed him to play any role he has needed to, depending on the strengths of his opponent. Mayweather hasn't just seen it all over 19 years as a pro, he has done it all. Berto has been much more of a one-trick pony as an athletic puncher.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 8: Defense

Forget Mayweather's constant campaigning for status as boxing's TBE for a moment; he actually has a strong case for consideration among "The Best Ever" in the category of defense alone. With age having not robbed him of his ability to make his opponents miss, Mayweather is on another level compared to Berto, whose defense remains his most gaping inadequacy. In fact, many remember Berto attempting to mimic Mayweather's shoulder roll defense in recent years to comedic results.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 9: Technique

One of the main reasons Berto never lived up to his initial unbeaten promise was a lack of evolution as he stepped up in class. The more Berto fell in love with brawling, the more raw his technique became. New trainer Virgil Hunter has attempted to fix this in recent camps, and the results have been mixed. Mayweather, meanwhile, remains the most accurate puncher in the game, is never out of position and can land from any angle or distance. He's a true master of his craft.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 10: Form

Despite rebounding with two straight wins over the last year, Berto remains 3-3 over his past six fights and has visibly fallen from his prime. He hasn't scored the level of victories necessary to secure a fight of this magnitude and was fortunate Mayweather wielded the control he and powerful adviser Al Haymon have in order to make the fight. Closing in on 39, Floyd remains close to peak form and is coming off a clear outclassing of Manny Pacquiao in May.

Advantage: Mayweather

ROUND 11: Corners

The switch from uncle Roger to father Floyd Mayweather Sr. as lead trainer over the past five fights has helped Mayweather rely on a more self-preserving defensive style. But it has always been clear during a fight who has ultimate control in the corner -- a fact made more apparent when Floyd openly ignored his father's pleas to become more offensive against Manny Pacquiao. Training yourself can be problematic if things go wrong. In this case, Berto and the calming voice of experienced trainer Virgil Hunter win out.

Advantage: Berto

ROUND 12: Wild Card

What ultimately separates Mayweather from everyone else is his smarts. With guaranteed money coming his way, he chose Berto as an opponent because he could. And he'll use the same calculated smarts to play against the few strengths Berto brings into the fight -- even at the expense of entertainment. Berto doesn't cut off the ring and isn't as physically taxing an opponent as Marcos Maidana. If Berto has one shot to win, be sure Mayweather will be smart enough to never let him use it.

Advantage: Mayweather